The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-21
The Protestant Episcopal Concress.

LOUISVILLE, Oct. 2O.-The attendance at the
session of the Protentant Episcopal Church con-
gross at Liederkranz Hall this morning was
again large. Many of those present were ladies.
Bishop Dudley announced that the subject be-
fore the congress for immediate discussion was
1.-The Historic Episcopate and Apostolic Success
SON." The first writer was the Rev. Edwin
Harwood. D. D., of New Haven, Conn. He re-
viewed briefly the history of the early church.
He said that the East knew more Scripture than
the West. but the West knew more of church
history and discipline, and fought all the battles
of the faith. He dwelt particularly upon the
differences between the Pope and the Kings Of
England.
DR.. Howard was followed by Rev. W. r.
Mackay of Pittsbure rev VIM H Vibert D.
D.. of Chicago; Rev. /. p. w. Donald. d. d.. of
Ascension Church, New York; Rev. r. A. Hol
land. ID. D., of St. Louis. and Rev. c. II. Bah
cock, d. d.. OF Columbus. Ohio The second
writer OH the topic was Rev W. R. Mackey, of
Pittsburg. The theory of the historic episco
pate, he said. was most important one and is
the great block in the way OF that unity which
all much desire. The idea of supernatural
power being conferred upon one man is a mere
romance. We were once taught to believe
this, but have rubbed the cobwebs ont of
our eyes. While government itself is divine.
particular form is divine. That form is divine
which best accomplishes the true ends of gov
eminent This is true of churches and it is not
best performs the work to be done for God His
line of argument was that the bishop mere
ly a general manager of the church, for the pur
pose of looking over the field and arranging
matters which could not otherwise be attended
to. 1t was not the right to confirm or do any
thing else, which passed down from the apos-
ties. but merely the Office.
The next writer was Rev. William Fl. Vbert.
ID. D., of Chicago He held that the doctrine
OF the apostolic succession was what bound them
to the church which God himself established,
and AGAINST which He c1are hA of hall
should not prevail. The line of succession is
unbroken and complete. and the last link is as
firmly connected with the throne of God as the
first DR.. Viberts paper was an exceedingly
able argument In favor of his line of belief, and
was frequently interrupted by applause. The
church should surrender erything possible for
unity, be said, but this 1t could surrender.
The first speaker on the topic was Rev. E. W.
Donald. D. D., of Ascension Church. New
York. He argued that apostolic suece IS ion is
not thing of divine institution The theory
that no sacrament is valid which is not admin
istered by hands ordained by the bishop is
monstrous one.
Holland. d. D.. of St Louis. For three hundred
years. he said. those who have advocated IN
episcopal churches had been compelled to deny
that Ignatius wrote the epistles which bear his
name. The question of authorship of these
epistles has been the salient point of battle be-
tween the Protestant and Catholic churches.
The question has been settled at last by Bishop
Lightfoot in his marvellous book. and settled
conclusvely. DR.. Hollands address a very
forcible one. and was loudly applauded.
He was followed by Rev. c. H. Babcock. D.
D.. of Columbus
At the afternoon session the Rev Thomas M.
Peters, d. D., of New York city, read a paper
favoriug a change in the basis of representation
in the general convention. He thought that
each diocese should have a representation in pro-
portion to the number of communicates.
Rev. F. R. Davenport, of Cairo, Ill, spoke in
defense of the present system, viz: Each diocese
having equal vote and the same representa-
ton in the council
At the night session clay Cooperation in
Church Work" was discussed. the following dele
gates taking part Writers-James L. Hough-
telling, Chicago; Rev. c. Braxton BRYAN. MILL
wood. Va. Speakers-John Marshall Smedes,
Cincinnati; Rev. r. F. Alsop. d. D.. Brooklyn;